10 Big Companies That Hire Freelancers

The freelance economy is complex and ever-changing, but one thing is for sure: Freelancers are a growing force in the job world. American freelance workers total 53 million, according to a survey commissioned by Freelancers Union and Elance-oDesk. That’s more than one-third of the workforce.

Independent contractors often face unique challenges such as complicated taxes, uncertain income, and finding their own health insurance. However, the current job market has workers of all ages demanding more freedom and control of their professional lives. For some, the appeal of freelance work is not being tied to a nine-to-five schedule. For others, it means the chance to work from home.

There are opportunities for freelance gigs in a wide range of industries. According to FlexJobs, the leading sectors for freelance opportunities include education, writing, translation, graphic design, consulting, computer and IT, accounting and finance, web development, entertainment, health care, and sales and marketing.

Finding work can be one of the most difficult parts of a freelancer’s life. The good news is freelance jobs are on the rise. But to find the right gig, independent contractors often have to start at the source. In 2014, FlexJobs compiled a list of the 55 top companies hiring for freelance jobs. The list is based on which companies posted the most job listings for freelance, temporary, or contract work from August 2013 to August 2014.

We compiled 10 major companies from FlexJobs’ list, some of which may surprise you. We’ve also added a sampling of freelance positions each company has advertised in the past. If you’re looking for freelance work, you might consider checking the current openings at these brands. Here are 10 well-known companies that frequently hire freelancers.

2. Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com provides access to family history information and develops and markets genealogical software. The company is Utah-based but maintains a global presence, as it is the largest for-profit genealogy company in the world.

Sample freelance jobs:

Archival digitization specialist

Copywriter

Data quality reviewer

3. Bloomberg

Founded in 1981 by Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg is a financial news and media company with 202 locations around the world. The company is also committed to community service, volunteerism, and philanthropy.

Sample freelance jobs:

Marketing manager

Contract web producer

Robotics camera operator

4. Condé Nast

Condé Nast is an international publishing company that was originally founded in 1909. The company’s many print and digital media brands include Ars Technica, Bon Appétit, GQ, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Wired.

Sample freelance jobs:

Beauty closet freelancer

Magazine photo and bookings assistant

Photo producer

5. Expedia

Expedia is an online travel company originally launched in 1996 as Microsoft’s first internet property. The company owns other travel websites including Hotels.com, Hotwire, and TripAdvisor.

Sample freelance jobs:

Associate market manager

Site merchandising manager

Technical support representative

6. GoPro

Many know GoPro as the producer of high-definition camcorders that can be mounted for use in sports and extreme-action photography, such as the HD HERO. This American corporation also became a media company in 2014 and remains a major content creator.

Sample freelance jobs:

Recruiting coordinator

Talent concierge

User generated content production artist

7. Nintendo

Nintendo is a Japanese video game company and the world’s largest by revenue. Nintendo introduced a number of landmark systems including the Game Boy, and it remains an important player with the Wii gaming console.

Sample freelance jobs:

Software engineer

Technical writer

Bilingual administrative assistant

8. Shutterfly

California-based Shutterfly is an online photo service company providing storage and sharing options for digital photography. Shutterfly has been recognized on Entrepreneur’s “Best Companies to Work for” list.

Sample freelance jobs:

Accounts payable administrator

Senior visual designer

Human resource generalist

9. Time Warner Cable

Time Warner Cable is a huge provider of telephone, Internet, and cable television services. While it has been named the most hated company in America, Time Warner employs more than 47,000 people in the U.S.

Sample freelance jobs:

Freelance graphics coordinator

News writer

Freelance associate producer

10. Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart’s labor practices have often come into question, but the multinational retailer is the biggest private employer in the world with more than 2 million workers. Sam Walton founded the discount store chain in 1962.